Tecmo Koei has confirmed Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk will launch for PlayStation 3 in North America on March 5. The Gust-developed RPG will be published by Tecmo Koei and localized by NIS America.

The Atelier facebook page states they’ll have it , then I seen an article stating it won’t. I’m confused

Pyrofrost

According to Siliconera, they had received word from NISA themselves that the track will be English only.

PrinceHeir

is this for real O____O

if it’s real then FUUCKK!!

Pyrofrost

Looks like it.
Though I would prefer dual audio, I will get the game regardless. English is the first language in NA after all, and it’s not like they owe me a JP track.
Besides, if I absolutely needed JP audio I could always import it.

DarthBrian

Since every Atelier game since Eternal Mana has included both language tracks, I absolutely feel they owe me a Japanese track.

Pyrofrost

Why? A Japanese track for any NA or EU release is an added bonus, not something we’re entitled to.

Personally, I feel in the age of blu-ray, every localized Japanese game should have a dual-audio option. I’m not going to skip a game that I want to play simply because it’s is without it. I buy a game to enjoy a story and have fun, not to hear Japanese voices.
(I say this even as a subs > dubs kinda guy.)

DarthBrian

Like I said. Every game in the series that we got in the U.S. (and Canada, if they count) has included dual-audio. For them not to put in this one is bullshit. It’s not an added bonus. It should be mandatory. Especially, as you say, with blu-ray and all the capacity it has. It is an utter waste of space and TK are clearly not including it to save money. Fuck. Them.

Pyrofrost

I understand being upset and all. However, boycotting, like so many people are talking about isn’t going to send the desired message. If it sells poorly in comparison to the previous titles, they aren’t going to think, “hey, maybe it was because we didn’t include the Japanese track.” It will actually send the message that NA does not want Atelier anymore.

Take Yakuza 3 for example. Fans were pissed because Sega cut a shitload of content for the NA version. However, fans still supported it along side allowing their grievances to be heard (which sent the desired message). As a result Yakuza 4 was released with all of the content except for “Answer X Answer” (which people outside of Japan wouldn’t have much knowledge of anyway).

In short, if you choose to boycott that is all good and fine. However, if you do, and enough people decide to follow suit, the desired result won’t be achieved. Would you want to stop getting Atelier games altogether?

DarthBrian

Upon purchasing Gust, I’m sure they know exactly how many they expect to sell. When they see the number is less, they will have to think to themselves “why did the number drop so severely?” Eventually they will figure out it’s because they put out a shitty release and they’ll make the next one better.
If that scenario does not happen however, and they never put out another Atelier, that is not my problem. Because if I support a shitty release, then they are going to assume it’s okay for them to put out a shitty release. I am guilt-free in this scenario as well.
Let’s take Catherine as an example. I didn’t get that because there was no English voices either. It sold pretty well apparently. Didn’t need my money at all. So whenever Persona 5 comes out and we get it, if the localization doesn’t include dual-language audio, it’s because they think they don’t need to spend the money because Catherine sold so well without it. If Catherine hadn’t sold well, perhaps they would’ve figured out that no one got it because they didn’t give us a feature we were expecting.
It’s a Catch 22 I suppose. But my conscience is clear. I am not wasting money on a product that does not meet my expectation. Period.

Pyrofrost

Well, the only title under the Megaten umbrella we ever got with dual-audio was P4A, and that was 100% due to the game being region-locked. The Tales series has also never seen a dual-audio release. Nor have most other JRPG franchises for their NA releases.

Even though we do disagree to a degree, I do understand you’re disappointment in the lack of dual-audio. As this has been a norm for NIS localized games. For me personally though, that has never been enough to steer me away from a purchase.

DarthBrian

P4A was region-locked because they were stupid and put Japanese text on it which made it easier to reverse import it.
The previous Persona games we got also only had English because there was no room for dual-audio on CD/DVDs. Or at least that’s what I assumed was the reason. The fiasco with Catherine though made me think it’s because Atlus Japan are a bunch of morons. We’ll see what happens when P5 comes out over here. Right now I’m just speculating. *shrug*

Tales is a different animal completely. I think it’s because they didn’t know that their NA fanbase cared about it. I think it was only recently it was brought to their attention that we kind of wanted it. I don’t think Namco/Bandai has an issue with dual-audio in general because Eternal Sonata had it and the upcoming Ni no Kuni has it. I just think the Tales producers were the ones who had no idea. But we’ll see. ToX probably won’t have dual-audio but maybe Xillia 2 will. Again, gonna have to wait and see I guess. *shrug*

It’s just frustrating. It should be a basic feature, not a bonus feature. It doesn’t make sense why it’s so hard to include it on so many releases. If only these companies would be honest with us. Instead we get bullshit answers like “we try to put it on our releases but sometimes we just can’t” or “Catherine is set in a distinctly American city so it makes sense that everybody speaks english”. Just tell us the real reason, game companies, and then maybe we won’t hate you. >_<

Pyrofrost

The biggest reasons I know for why companies don’t include dual-audio is licensing issues and whether or not the mother-company will allow it. The JP companies have to okay things first before publishers here can do a thing. Then there is the issue of the money involved. Same goes for the JP vocal openings vs. just having the instrumental play or an English version (ie: Tales and Bleach: Soul Resurreccion).
The reason Tales of Vesperia and Graces F had a vocal version in NA is because both Bonnie Pink and BoA can actually sing fluently in English.

I can’t really speak for Ayesha though, The release for that is so much of a cluster-fuck. For P4A, the dual-audio/text just made a really easy scapegoat and they used that to soften the blow of the region lock; because they knew fans would be pissed. I don’t trust what Atlus said in the interviews concerning it for a second, and I only see that as a PR stunt. After all, they are in the business to sell games, not be honest.
They locked that game because it was a near international release and the demand in Japan was extremely high. They wanted to keep those sales in Japan, and as a result, it was one of the best selling fighters in history in Japan.

DarthBrian

If money is such an issue, how can a small company like NIS America afford to do it while bigger companies like Square-Enix and Namco-Bandai and even Atlus can’t?

You mentioned Bleach: Soul Resureccion. If any game was going to have a precipitously high cost to license, it would be that as the cast of the show includes some of the most popular seiyuu in Japan. Yet it had dual-audio here. How could NIS America afford that if cost was an issue?

I really don’t think cost or licensing or anything like that is an issue. I think it’s the heads of these Japanese companies that have their heads up their ass and hate American fans. There, I said it. >_<

Though with Catherine, I suspect that Atlus did want to do it, but the dual-language audio wouldn't fit on XBox360 and part of Microsoft's contract on multi-platform releases demands parity between all platforms. That's my conspiracy theory anyway.

Pyrofrost

When I brought up Bleach: Soul Ressureccion, I was speaking of the opening theme.

It’s isn’t simply whether or not companies can afford it when it comes to cost. It’s also about whether or not companies are willing to pay out for it. NISA also does pretty kick ass CEs, a lot of other more well off companies don’t bother; not because they cant, but because it’s simply an expense that they don’t want to bother with. Then there is the issue of licensing, royalties; down to the VAs individually through their agents.
For example…When the voice track is done for a video game in Japan, while the script is owned by the JP game company, the Japanese voice work is not. Further, it is only licensed for domestic use.
The publisher localizing has to go through the entire process if they want to have a JP voice track on the game. Spacing really isn’t so much of an issue because voice tracks are already small and they can be compressed.

In the end, It’s not about whether or not it’s too expensive. It’s about whether or not the company sees it as something worth paying out for and jumping through hoops to get.
For example: these companies hire analysts to help them decide if having Japanese voices will earn them a profit justifying the time and expense used to get it…..in comparison to the profits on a version with an English only track. Another words, the amount of people demanding dual-audio on FF or Tales is insignificant to them.
For NISA on the other hand, it’s very significant. Which is why they include it.

DarthBrian

Well, at least NISA is doing something with it. And yes, hopefully that means we get dual audio.
I’m optimistic once again. :p

EDIT: Also, whoa, that’s pretty soon. O_O

Himiko

No dual-audio thank Tecmo. :P

DarthBrian

On the Facebook page it says this:

“Atelier Ayesha will have both English and Japanese voices and the text will be in English only.”

Facebook page is wrong sadly. Tecmo PR is a mess. NISA’s houk and Tecmo website confirm its no dual-audio.

Eclipse

Here’s hoping it has dual-audio.

And March is seriously going to be an expensive month for me with so many games being released.

Himiko

No dual-audio. :/

Eclipse

Seriously?! Hmm… I better import a JP LE copy while they’re still around. Thanks for the info. ^_^

Himiko

posted on the NISA Forums by houk. He said it wasn’t their decision (likely Tecmo). :( But yeah, import time. Also, get online. (this is you know who. :P)

Eclipse

What in the hell?! Is that you, Kaz?
And why do you have a girls name?! XD

Himiko

I have like 3 accounts, rofl. I decided I’d just make a Disqus account.

And I’m always a trap!

PrinceHeir

Kaz?

which Kaz? O___O

Himiko

Kaz as in the lolicon Kaz!

PrinceHeir

what happened to your other account?? :O

Himiko

I got bored of it~

PrinceHeir

ehh i still prefer Kaz, which means Peace in japanese.

Peaceful Loli :P

Himiko

Hahaha. Well, consider me a kawaii trap now!

SprintsMcGee

On the one hand, I’m glad it’s coming out sooner than I expected.

On the other, I consider this a dick move by TK to release the game near NISA’s release of Neptunia.

Still going to get both though =D

MrKappa

That’s a week before Neptune and they don’t even have it up for preorder while the Neptune LE is sold out.
Then again I guess since it is being published by TK it wouldn’t be on the NISA Store… or would it?

DarthBrian

I have the same question. I don’t see it for pre-order anywhere else either.

Pyrofrost

According to this article, it is set to have English audio only as well.

Facebook page is wrong sadly. Tecmo PR is a mess. NISA’s houk (who still translated the game) and Tecmo website confirm its no dual-audio. Houk said it was not their choice to make. :/

DarthBrian

Welp…
No dual-audio, no purchase.
They can go fuck themselves.

Pyrofrost

Why?

DarthBrian

Because every Atelier game that we ever got in the U.S. has included dual-audio. For them not to include it in this one is bullshit.

Himiko

Since the PS2, dual audio has been in Atelier games. There is a obvious half-ass job here. Heck, NISA are the ones translating the game and not allowed to include dual-audio. Plus, this is a massive inconsistency and insult to a lot of Atelier fans.

Juuu

See, it’s the fact that they’re saying it’s got a “partial dub” that worries me. I don’t mind dubs if they’re done well-I generally play Atelier dubbed tbh. But “partial?” I mean….So, will only main scenes be dubbed, or…? That much sort of worries me… And putting it right up against Neptunia in a crowded month…Man, Tecmo Koei, what are you doing? :c

DarthBrian

Apparently the left foot doesn’t know what the right foot is doing. Someone tweeted them saying they were disappointed in no dual-audio and TecmoKoeiEurope asked them where they heard that and they replied with this:

From TecmoKoeiEurope’s twitter: “We have sent your Atelier Ayesha enquiries to our team in Japan to clarify as what we have been told was slightly different. We will verify.”

So, maybe there’s still a chance of dual audio. I hope. :(

Himiko

A complete mess. -_-

KurisuMakise

March 5th eh? Relief, time to go spend money—FUUUU isn’t Tomb Raider around this time ugh, -flips a tea table- I hate Q1 >_<;

http://www.facebook.com/mike.powers.3766 Mike Powers

YESSSSSSSSSSS! I am super psyched for this! I have not waited for a game to come out in soooo long! CAN’T friggin wait to play Ayesha! :D

http://www.facebook.com/mike.powers.3766 Mike Powers

YESSSSSSSSSSS! I am super psyched for this! I have not waited for a game to come out in soooo long! CAN’T friggin wait to play Ayesha! :D

http://twitter.com/ElementalShade Vampire Dragon

the 360 will never see japanese rpgs again

syaznifaiq

should i call Castiel to shut up Dean Winchester ? .. what wrong with this guy ? xbox fanboy ?